Dead Empress Backwater can't stop, won't stop movin'

HANDLE YOUR OWN WHEN YOU BECOME A MAN

Eros did his best to give time for the dust to settle, but he couldn't put things off forever. @Viorel had shared with him the condition he'd given Vayko if he were to ever return, but his own mind was not yet settled. This was exactly the kind of thing he needed his advisor for, and it was both a blessing and a curse that @Rochus too was invested in this. At least, Eros would assume so - it wasn't like the older wolf shared much of himself. He followed after his distant relative's scent, gave a friendlier bark than he typically did these days. This could be a very raw conversation, one Rochus might even refuse to have altogether. This was about to be quite the test for their working relationship, Eros felt it was important that he acknowledged that, even if it was just to himself. "Rochus? I'd like to talk..."

BECOME A MAN WHEN YOU HANDLE YOUR OWN

(This post was last modified: Dec 29, 2024, 03:53 AM by Eros. Edit Reason: fixing wiped prefix )

Rochus had gotten the worst of his anger out by the time Eros sought him out. While he still seethed internally at the misguided actions of his son, on the outside he was once again an impenetrable wall of feigned disinterest.

He stopped and turned to face the younger wolf, one ear flicking forward to show that he was open to listening. It would do him no good to be a stubborn brute and avoid what was likely to be a conversation regarding Vayko. After all, him and Eros had an agreement. “Of course. What is it you’d like to discuss?” He would make Eros be the one to bring up the topic, however.

HANDLE YOUR OWN WHEN YOU BECOME A MAN

Rochus responded with a politeness that had to be forced. Right? Eros blinked back at him, before the why of the other man pretending there wasn't an obvious answer clicked into place. His features softened ever so slightly, but he did his best to keep sympathy out of his features. He had the feeling that the old man would just find it grating. "Vayko," he responded without fanfare. "Obviously, what happened is a big deal, so if you're willing, there's a quite a bit about it I'd like to talk over with you. Both as my advisor and as his father." Of course, he wasn't about to try and force Rochus into this conversation. Eros could hardly imagine having a son at all, much less one that suddenly up and abandoned his family over not being recognized enough, or whatever. It'd be a touchy subject, that was about all he knew.

BECOME A MAN WHEN YOU HANDLE YOUR OWN

His lips thinned at the mention of his son, and for a moment Rochus' expression soured before he regained his composure, though his body had stiffened considerably. If Eros had said any version of an 'I'm sorry' then Rochus might have lost his cool. He didn't want anyone's pity or concern. In fact what he really wanted was to be left alone, but he had a duty as an advisor.

He wasn't a traitor who abandoned his family, even if he had his own agendas and intentions.

"Very well," Rochus said briskly. His yellow eyes glanced around them, and he tipped his muzzle to the side. "Would you prefer to stand here, or walk and talk?" Keeping his paws moving seemed like an easy way to keep some of the more negative emotions at bay, considering the conversation they were about to have was likely not going to be very pleasant.

HANDLE YOUR OWN WHEN YOU BECOME A MAN

Of course nothing would be offered. Eros would have preferred to remain stationary, but watching Rochus it seemed clear that it would be easier for him to be in motion. He nodded forward, paws moving to lead the way. It didn't matter what path they took, his own focus would be on his advisor. "Did he talk to you about any of this? Tell you anything I should know?" The directness would continue, still feeling like the most merciful course of action. Even if it felt cold. He smothered that little bit of guilt, and Rochus being the way he was helped in that endeavor. Still... he wished even if Vayko couldn't have been stopped from leaving, that this conversation could have been avoided by his being more clear and up front about whatever the catalyst had been. Instead of the rambling mess he'd apparently been, by Viorel's telling.

BECOME A MAN WHEN YOU HANDLE YOUR OWN

For perhaps both their sakes, Eros was agreeable to Rochus’s desire to walk while they conversed. Not that Rochus would have done anything untoward, but the forward movement would help him keep a tighter lid on his emotions. The younger wolf led the way, and for once Rochus had no qualms about following.

Eros’ question was initially met with a simple shake of his head. But after a few moments of silence Rochus figured that Eros would want a more substantial response. He blew the air from his lungs harshly out through his nose, doing his best to keep his tone level, even as his lips thinned in a displeased expression.

“He did not seek me out to discuss any plans of him leaving. I was not aware of his desire to leave until he was gone.” Rochus felt slighted at the fact that his own flesh and blood had not even sought him out to let him know. He had to find out from others that his own son had up and vanished. And quite dramatically, it seemed.

HANDLE YOUR OWN WHEN YOU BECOME A MAN

No... ? Eros supposed it really shouldn't have been surprising, especially given the many differences between the Ward and Halex branches of the Valle family tree. It was, though. Rochus was Vayko's father. How was there nothing? Or was there, and he just hadn't asked the right question yet? Rochus' response had been rather pointed. Though, of course, maybe there wouldn't be a right query to pose, maybe his advisor would consider any of it too private to be open with. Still, in his position, Eros had to at least try. "Okay. What about the part where Vasco gave him that scar on his underside? It was fairly newly healed back when I came back from scouting? He said Vasco gutted him." Eros watched him, each word he spoke. Looking for a reaction, a flicker of recognition or surprise, quite literally anything that the older wolf would give. It was pretty important for him to know, wasn't it? If there was any possibility that his own grandfather had done something so drastic, to family of all wolves?

BECOME A MAN WHEN YOU HANDLE YOUR OWN